Johanna Maria Martinez Palacios

Generously Sponsored By: Red Boat Fish Sauce
Age, at time of Internship: 15
CT Intern: Summer 2022
Restaurant Host: alaMar, Chef Juan
Wraparound Program: OUSD
Intern Story: Johanna’s passion for cooking started with helping their grandmother bake and decorate wedding cakes. This combination of food, art, and love helped Johanna overcome the loss of their father. It helped Johanna stay strong when they faced bullying at school.
Johanna was so inspired by the work and the feeling of accomplishment, they started working at a pastry shop. The work was so fulfilling that Johanna applied to Sprouts’ Chef Training Program to formalize their training and pursue a long-term career in the culinary arts.
Both Johanna and their alaMar chef mentor are excited to see where Johanna’s passion and talent will lead them.